There’s a ton of beauty everywhere, but sometimes the ugly gets in the way. So a lot of times, it’s less about adding beauty, and more about taking some ugly away.
.-= J.D. Meier´s Last Fabulous Post ..Lessons Learned from Guy Kawasaki =-.

@Katie West — Katie…YOUR smile here always makes me happy! And really, your presence in my life makes me happy…or maybe even more…your presence touches my soul in beautiful ways. You shine such amazing beauty into this world. So, that Rumi quote is so fitting for you. I know you love what you do and I know that you also see so much beauty in all of it. That is something so worth kneeling to kiss the ground in celebration of! So, be you wherever you are right at this moment — with your sweet children, with your amazing husband, by yourself, working, playing, loving, living, goofing, hiding, jumping, whatever — I know that you are seeing the beauty in the moment. And I celebrate that! And I celebrate your beauty, shining through from your core…always…

I would LOVE to do something like this. I am right now checking out the link you provided. Thank you dear sweet Lance for sharing such wholesomeness, such a sense of warmth and hope. You are a blessing. Much love and hugs to you. Robin
.-= Robin Easton´s Last Fabulous Post ..Lifting the Lid on Age and Death =-.

@Jannie — Yep, I’m working on it! How about if I assertively thank you for coming back over…because I really appreciate all your support! How did I do, Jannie? Okay, and with that…I’m off to do some stinging. And, you are not the first person to call me a bumble bee in that shirt!

@Jodi — Hi Jodi. We did have the more “serious” picture too, but this one was just too much fun not to share! And I’m really finding that the more I do embrace life and her possibilities, the more life is beautiful and amazing! Jodi, thanks so much for being here, and for your kind and wonderful words!

@Stacey Shipman — In so many ways, this really was an experience of a lifetime. So many insights and just really, new ways of looking at life. The course was a leadership and self awareness workshop. And it was all of that, and then so much more. I’m still amazed at how much growth happened in those five days (both personally and as a group), and how much bonding within the group led to connections that went from unknown to deeply valued in a few short days. Stacey, thank you for all your wonderful support, caring, and friendship…

btw, LOVE your black and yellow “bumble bee” shirt in the pic above! So get out there and do some RAOKA assertive stinging.

.-= Jannie Funster´s Last Fabulous Post ..Getting To Know Him… Getting To Know All About A Wonderful Blogger. =-.

@Karl — Karl, I found this program through an existing connection I already had with Holly, the co-founder and program leader. In fact, I interviewed her on my blog back in July. After that we talked several times about this leadership program. After those discussions, I chose to come, with the backing of the company I work for. It really is about leadership in all areas of your life, though. I think everyone who came would agree with that statement. Because, really — work affects home and home affects work. So, this was so good on many fronts…including that my company sent me! And yes, I now have a new group of friends — people who know me well, and I them. And that is very cool!

@Holly — Hi Holly, thanks so, so much for stopping in here today! The honor was really having you lead this program. Holly, you put so much of your heart and soul, not only into this program, but also into the participants. You care deeply, and that makes all the difference in the world! It was so great to meet you in person, and just see the caring growth you help so many with, myself included. And what a wonderful group we had, a group that evolved so much in just a few short days. And that’s you, Holly, sharing your deep love for people. I am the same person, and yet, I am different. And that’s because of YOU, and what you give so unconditionally! Thank you. And know that those two words, “Thank You”, really don’t do justice to what you have given me and so many others! And that is beauty. And that is you…

@Heather — Hi Heather. Sometimes we are in such a rush, we miss the beauty all around us, don’t we. I know that I do…all too often. Beauty is there, we just have to slow down so we can see it… Thanks so much for being here today!

@Evita — Evita, thank you! I really think you have a way of just seeing the good in everyone, and in what can be. For me, I would best describe that as you sharing your love and light while at the same time, unconditionally accepting the journey others are on. That is true beauty…and it shines so brightly from you! We are amazing beings, all of us. And when we are open to what can be, there is so many possibilities! And that’s both exciting and beautiful!

@Barbara — Hi Barbara. Beauty is there, within us. See it, and we see it around us too. This was just a great group of people, all open to what could be. And what developed from that was a close connection and understanding of each other. Barbara, thank YOU!! You have been such a wonderful supporter and encourager always… And now onto crazy, wacky December!

@Lisa — I love it too! So wonderful to see something like this unfold! Thanks so much, Lisa!

@Sami — Hey Sami! Look at all the beauty you’ve helped to unearth in November! And that it’s all interpreted differently, I think that pretty awesome! It just shows how we can really see beauty in so many different way. And I know a special person who shines her beauty in amazing way…YOU! Just watching what you have created with this RAOKA project has been beauty magnified!

@Yum Yucky — Dear Josie, you are definitely cool and amazing! My buddy on the rails…yep, he’s an awesome guy! Along with everyone else pictured — amazing souls, all of them! I’ll send you some chapstick…it’s mostly gone…but hey, friends share, right!!

@Marelisa — Hi Mare. I know!! They look like kids in the video!! Music is another beautiful thing, isn’t it. Along with really whatever we are open to seeing as beautiful. Like your smile…it’s always so good to see that on your avatar!

@Lori — Lori, you are a sweetheart. You know, I see so much beauty in your comment here today. It shines of the beauty you reflect out into the world. It shines of your soul. It shines of YOU! Beautiful, beautiful you… And, hey…now I know your middle name too!! I can’t wait to see what kind of wackiness the month of December brings! (and you are so right — Sami’s brilliant mind has really produced something special!)

@Armen — Hi Armen. I love the take you have with teh empty bookshelf, and comparing it to our mind — where we leave space for new thoughts! There is so much beauty in that “newness”, in experiencing new things. And thank you! Meeting this amazing group of people, all of us strangers before our time together, has been such a wonderful experience!

@Jannie — Jannie! Awesome!! And you are choosing a great time to join in — I think “wackiness” is right up your alley! And to beauty, and what you experienced on your walk — I think it’s all in how we view our world. When we look through they eyes of beauty, we see beauty. You do, because you are beautiful from deep within. That shines through, always. And so, I know you see so much beauty in your world. Best take away from the workshop for me? Based upon direct feedback that was provided ahead of time, and our group work on developing action plans — one of my biggest take aways is for me to be more assertive. I’m working on that, and know there are people out there who care about knowing if I’m doing this. That last part is really such a big part, too — knowing others care about what you want to focus on…

@Davina — Fun word, isn’t it! I suspect Webster will be making an addition to the dictionary real soon!! The picture was fun, because the whole group dynamics was so fun! Life is what we make it…and we all have those moments from our past that stir up great memories. This will always be one of them!

@Hayden — Hayden, thank you so much for your wonderful words. YOU encourage!! You shine! And today you put a great big smile on my face!! And that gives me energy today as I start a new day. (and yes, we did have a blast, and created a special bond amongst each other).

@Vered — Friendship is wonderful! I didn’t go into this week thinking I’d come out of it with six new friends. So, what a beautiful unfolding of the whole week, and what it meant! And yes, winter is a beautiful season. We had our first snow of the year last night — and the white on the ground looked so calming and beautiful today. Thanks so much for being here!

@Michelle — Hi Mish. This was definitely an “onion” moment, this week together. And it was all in such powerfully good ways. We have all these “tools” today. Computers. LCD TV’s. Cell phones. Wii. And if you look at the premise behind each of these — there’s a level of some sort of connection. Yet, it’s not deep and meaningful connection. We crave that connection, and yet we use these “crutches”…and it is not that same. These crutches end up isolating us, often. The exact opposite of that which we have a deep need for. And this workshop really went beyond all of that, and right to that spot where those deep connections are developed. Holly, our leader, does such a wonderful job of getting people into this place..and that was so beautiful to witness. And be a part of… So, thank you for this deep sharing, Mish. And happy cookie baking and sharing!

@Audra — There’s this fear of the unknown. And that was there — and I spent a lot of time talking with Holly, the program leader, ahead of time. I wanted some sort of comfort level, and yet still…going in, there was a certain amount of fear…and of not knowing how the week would play out. What happened, though, was really beauty unfolding right before my eyes, as we worked our way through this week, and developed a deep bond amongst each other. Know that I feel that way about you, and that I feel a deep connection…one that very much touches my heart.

@Elliot — Thanks much, Elliot. Thanks for sharing the Keats poem. There is a real link between beauty and truth…in both directions. And, no, I have not watched the film “Across the Universe”. I’ll have to look it up, thanks!

@Nadia — Hi Nadia. The word “belief”…yes, it does start with that. A belief in what can be. What I think of here, in context to this workshop — is that I’m sure that for everyone in this, there was a shift in beliefs, in believing what could truly be, as we progressed through the week — and as we drew closer together. Life is indeed beautiful, and Nadia, you always bring out that beauty. Always. And I too connect with that Beatles song…

@Megan — You make me smile, Megan! Okay, and then you make me blush! You are sweet and kind. And what you are saying about “what we see, we are”…Megan, this is so much YOU! You shine beauty, and that’s coming through so brightly here in this comment. It’s so much more, though. It’s what I witness in you always. So — everything you are saying here — I find very moving and touching. And you could so easily be saying this about yourself too. Megan, you truly do radiate joy and beauty! JoyGirl! is such a fitting name for YOU! You have made my day today…and I know you do this so much, for so many! So, know that I am deeply thankful for your words here today, and even more, for your true and caring friendship.

@Mama Zen — Thanks much! Beauty rocks, doesn’t it! And well…December now just has to be all sorts of wacky!!